Just bought some from Grasch's last week. About $12/lb. freezer section in meats.

Been really digging the wings at a newer bar in Wauwatosa, Jackson's Blue Ribbon. Wings are done a bit differently as they are grilled after frying them
Sauce choices are limited to the basic mild, med., and hot and also 'tough guy'. All are homemade. Just thought I'd share as I loved this thread when I was originally posted.

Here's the JSO article
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/enterta...

Too bad about 3 brothers. Never expected much in the way of cocktails. Do expect a clean fork though.

Anyone dined at Three Brothers lately? Always preferred it over Old Town, but haven't been there in a long time.

If you're doing this all in one day, I would hands down recommend breakfast at Blues Egg, which is very close to the zoo (about 15 blocks). One of the best breakfast spots in town, perhaps the best if your looking for something above and beyond regular breakfast items. You could also do lunch there. Dinner around the Bradley Center is, quite frankly, a little bit tougher with kids. I've taken my kids to AJ Bombers and had good luck. They were featured on Food Wars, kids liked the airplanes that drop peanuts on the table. I also regularly take them to Buck Bradley's before events, although, admittedly, it's geared towards adults, but it is very large, has a sizeable restaurant area and is quite comfortable with kids.

Tried Lisbon Cafe for the first time. Liked it a lot. Thanks Fydeaux

Not sure which ones you think are "iffy" , but I wouldn consider any of them to be in bad neighborhoods. I think it's fair to say that real hidden gems in any large city are likely to be well established in neighborhoods versus downtown or fashionable areas of the city.

Nice job Fydeaux! I certainly won't disagree with any of your pix. I would add Odd Duck to the dinner choice. It's very creative, well prepared and a lot of fun. You can enjoy the food with creative cocktails or a fairly lengthy beer list. Probably my current favorite

Good call on both of your other choices. Ive posted on both places before. Joes really does great BBQ

I'm a big fan of EE Sane on Farwell. Excellent Thai/Laotion. Not much for ambiance though.

Any of you regulars ever eat at Meiji in Waukesha? I've never been, but I've always wanted to try it as their specialty in Sichuan seems to be fairly unique in our area

I travel to Green Bay frequently for business. I always stay at the Aloft, which is only a few blocks from Old Chicago. While I typically have trouble endorsing chains, this is one that I often recommend. The beer selection is really fantastic, over 100 to choose from, the wings are very good and the rest is well above average. I personally like their pizzas, but let's be honest, taste in pizza is as subjective as steak. The TV setup is good as well. You'll have no trouble watching a game in comfort.
I cant speak to Curlys for game day, especially their closing time, but they have good food, and also a large sports game area as well as TVs.
Can't help you with brunch.
Other rec's for Dinner would be Hinterland for a "foodie" dinner. Its good, really good, on par with restaurants around the country. For steak, Republic is the best I've found. It is very inconsistent though, when it's on it's really good.

Not necessarily trying to be a wise guy here, but I think you're missing the point of "butcher cuts". They're not out on display. Find a real butcher and ask them for the cut you want.

Its not in a great neighborhood and theres really nothing else for out-of-towners within walking distance but its only a 5 minute cab ride from downtown, eastside or 3rd ward.

Untrue. Ricky's on State is right across the street, and it is a bachelor party:)

I've said for years that you can ask 10 guys who has the best steak and you'll get 10 different answers and they're probably all correct. With that being said, I've been to both places numerous times as well as places around the country, including LA. In my opinion, yes, Carnevor is that good, but it is a trendy, clubby feel. However, for what you're describing, I'd steer you towards 5o'clock. It's a pretty cool place, in large part because the decor that you saw isn't retro, it's just never been changed. Definitely an old school place. Definitely not a dump. Steaks are served in the old school kind of way, with a few mushrooms on top and a good amount of jus on the bottom. And yes, a great place to suck down a few martinis and get a little loud. Steaks are, in my opinion, no where near Carnevor, but I'd seriously question anybody who would complain that it wasn't good enough quality for them.

Hey Ex- Didn't Brew City close? I know that's your neck of the woods, but I thought I read something about it closing.

If your budget allows, I'd check out Mr. B's, in Brookfield. The patio/outdoor bar is really great. It's primarily a steakhouse, but you'll find plenty of other menu options as well. It's run by one of the best restaurant groups in town and widelly regarded as one of the better steakhouses in town.It's about 10-15 minutes from your hotel and they routinely serve parties your size, so service shouldn't be an issue.

Literally, everythIng was excellent. There was 6 people in our group do we got to try a lot of things. My favorites were the lamb meatballs, porkbelly bulgogi, eggplant and the charcuterie board was the bomb! The cocktails were ok and the beer list was very well thought out. I thInk if you order what you like it will be be good.

Ate there last night. Loved it.

El Cabrito is a few miles off the freeway, so if location is number one factor it may be too far away. It's about 20-25 blocks off the free way. But it's the best. Theres so may options in Milwaukee I'm sure others will chime in with recommendations. This board is really good with suggestions. Agee other ideas would be getting a sandwich from Gloriosos on Brady, Kopps in Glendale a sandwich from Benjis deli in Brown Deer. I'll post more recs when I think of them

A few ideas that pop in to my head right away are Big Star Drive-In, Kenosha. If I was forced to choose one greasy burger place to eat the rest of my life, it would be here.

In Green Bay, definitely check out Joe's Texas BBQ. I've posted about this place before. It is some of the best brisket I've had anywhere in the country, made by a Texas transplant who couldn't find barbecue he liked in Green Bay, so started doing his own. Different style than you'd see at Ashley's, Speed Queen, etc..

In Marinette, right on the main drag (can't remember if it's 41 or 141) is Mickey-Lu's BBQ. Don't let the name fool you, there's no BBQ, but they have a charcoal grill right behind the diner counter making some really good, back yard style burgers. I've been there a few times and loved the burgers both times. I got the tip from a local and they seem to do a ton of business.

As for MKE, your options are retry much endless, so it's kind of tough to even know where to start, but I would maybe recommend stopping at one of the Mexican taco trucks on the near south side. Theyre all similar, but my favorite is El Cabrito on Mitchell/Muskego. Goat is there specialty and their tortas are great! Good road food. There's also one perhaps more convenient for your travels right off of 94 on 6th and Beecher.

I certainly don't need to tel you about Pasties in the UP, but I do like JeanKays in Iron Mountain.
Hope that helps!

What were a few of the best items? I'm going there soon. Thanks for the report!

Never been to Lisbon cafe. I'll be checking that out soon!

We all give our opinions and recommendations for special places for out of towners, but where is your regular, go to spot, assuming that you don't dine at Sanford once a week? For me, it's Ono Kine Grindz. I get the poke for lunch at least once a week, sometimes more. I can't get enough of the stuff.

I travel to Green Bay for business quite frequently. I'm no expert, but here's what I've found. (By the way, nothing in Green Bay is more than 10-15 minutes away).

Joe's Barbeque- This is seriously some of the best BBQ I've found, anywhere. The guy's from Texas, couldn't find good 'que when he moved to GB so he started doing his own. Little take out place with only a couple of tables. Sell's it by the 1/2lb and I don't think anything is more the $5. If you like BBQ, go here for lunch.

Hinterland is fairly upscale with a very cool, trendy vibe to it. Locally sourced ingredients and definitely for 'foodies'. The menu changes frequently.

Republic is a steakhouse DT. Cool, clubby sort of atmosphere. I found them to be a little inconsistent, but I have had some excellent steaks there. Some of the seafood has been pretty good to. I almost always get a NY done "Pittsburgh style", which is nothing more than crusted in kosher salt, but it's damn good!

I've also had good meals at Chefusion. I would avoid Regatta and most of the sushi places I've had are just OK.

Finally, even though it's a chain, I do like Old Chicago. If I just want to have a few beers in front of some nice TV's with pretty good bar food, that's where I go (it's super close to my hotel).

For dinner I would check out something on Milwaukee St., such as Umami Moto or Carnevor. You could go to Distil right next door for some great craft cocktails. All of these places have great food with a very trendy, hip atmosphere and plenty of energy. I think it will fit what you're looking for.

For brunch I would go to Blues Egg if you don't mind a 10 minute drive from downtown.

Amen to that! The burger at Distil is great. Even better with a bourbon Manhattan. I saw the article too. They also mentioned Bryant's , which has been one of my favorites for decades.

One of my favorite places. I eat there about once a week and always get the poke with sides of Lomi and wakame. My kids love the char siu chicken. Everything there is very good and l really like to see a unique business run by really nice people do well.

I'd recommend Lakefront Brewery. Its definitely not the best fish fry around, but it's got a fun, loud atmosphere due in large part to the live polka band. Not to mention, the beer is outstanding. The seating is set around large, round communal tables, so seating for seven will be no problem.